I believe that “The Truth Works” and does so in two distinct ways. First, the truth, when planted in our hearts, will cause us to act. Second, when the truth is followed, it will successfully accomplish what God designed the word to do. Let’s look at the first now.
The truth, when planted in our hearts, will cause us to act in obedience to God’s word and will. “Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.” (James 1:21) The truth is active and not passive. The reason for this is that God’s word is truth. (John 17:17) God’s word is living and powerful and works in our hearts and lives. “For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” (Hebrews 4:12)
When a person believes that the Bible is God’s word, it will work effectually in them. “For this reason we also thank God without ceasing, because when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which also effectively works in you who believe.” (1 Thessalonians 2:13) If the sinner will believe the word, it will work in his heart and cause him to be “born again” by being born of the water and of the spirit. (John 3:3-5) The water refers to baptism and the spirit refers to being begotten by the Spirit’s word. In physical birth, one is begotten by the seed of the father, and the mother gives birth to the child. We are begotten by the word of God (James 1:18), and are born again by the word of the gospel, God’s seed. (1 Peter 1:22-23, 25)
If the child of God continues to believe the word of God, it will continue to work in his life. Paul, after mentioning Christ being in the Colossae saints (Colossians 1:27), went on to say, “To this end I also labor, striving according to His working which works in me mightily.” (Colossians 1:29) God works in those in whom Christ dwells by faith. “That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love.” (Ephesians 3:17) Faith is produced by hearing God’s word. (Romans 10:17) Faith works, we are told in Galatians 5:6, “… but faith which worketh by love.”
Faith works! By faith Abraham obeyed God when he left Ur of Chaldees. (Hebrews 11:8) Abraham continued to obey God during his sojourn on this earth. “By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son.” (Hebrews 11:17)
James reinforces that the faith which saves, and by which a Christian walks, is an obedient faith. “Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God. Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.” (James 2:21-24)
The Christian is to “walk by faith, not by sight.” (2 Corinthians 5:7)